Method of and apparatus for bundling flooring



March 14, 1933. E c, DlTTMAR METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BUNDLING FLOORING Filed Jan. 17, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet l HII n m l "lll llllll,

. *nuff March 14, 1933. E c DrrTMAR METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR BUNDLING FLOORING Filed Jan. 17. 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mardi 14, 1933. E Q DH1-MAR 1,900,980

METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR BUNDLING FLOORING Filed Jan. 1'?. 1921 5 Shets-Sheet 3 E. C. DITTMAR METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BUNDLING FLOORING March 14, 1933.

5 vsheets-smet 4 Filed Jan. 1'?

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March 14, 1933. E C. D|TTMAR `1,900,980

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BUNDL-ING FLOORING' ,QW www Patented 4Mar. 14,- 1.933

UNiTED STATES ,Paiiam` OFFICE ELMER C. DITTMAB, OF WILLIAHSPOBT, PENNSYLVAIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE OBOMAB COMPANY, 0F WILLIAHSOBT, PENISYLVANIArA CORPORATION 0F PENNSYL- VANIA METHOI OF AND APPARATUS FOB BUNDLING FLOORING Application med January 17, 1921. Serial No. 437,820.

and the novel 4features thereof defined by the y This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for bundling flooring, the oblect being to provide an apparatus for carrying out the method of bundling strips of flooring in such a manner that the flooring will be bundled without injuring the same, the apparatus being especially adapted for use m bundling iiooring which has been finished.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for binding the bundle after it has beenformed so as to hold the strips between a air of supportsin such a manner that all anger of the strips moving on one another is prevented.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus having a support to receive the bundle of floorin in connection with a scale, by means of w ich the feet of flooring in the bundle will be indicated to the operator so that he can designate on the bundle the feet the bundle contains.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for forming the bundle wherein the strips of ilooring are nested and supported by spacing members in the -form of strips so that when the binding bands are placed around the bundle, the strips will be flexed slightly in order to hold the same under tension within the supporting members whereby a bundle is formed which will prevent the strips from moving in respect to one another thereby overcoming the danger of marring the finished faces of the strips.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide a pulling device-for the metal band used for binding the strips within the bundle which is operated by afoot treadle and so mounted that the mechanism will grip the band in one of its movements and travel free of the band in its other movement whereby the operator by repeating the operation can apply the proper tension to the band surrounding the bundle.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide novel means for fastening the ends of the band on one of the supports forthe strips.

Other and further objects and advantages v of the invention will be hereinafter set forth applied on the treadle it will be drawn tightly aroundthe bundle, the movable sto being shown thrown out of the path o the bundle through the apparatus;

Figure 3 is a side elevation portion of the i apparatus;

`Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bundle formed in the apparatus;

Figure 5 is a transverse section through the same;

Figure 6 is a detail view of a portion of a bundle showing the first fastening means for the band arranged in position;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of the scale used for indicating the surface feet when flooring strip two inches wide is being bundled; Figure 8,is a similar view of a scale for indicating the surface feet within the bundle when one andl one-half inch wide strips of floorlng are being bundled; and

Figure 9 is a detailed view of the lever placed around the same. The rollers 2 andv 3 constitute what might be termed a form in 5 bundle as it is moved from off the supportl by the operator. A binding device is arranged in advance of thestationary suport 4 for binding the bundle with a metal band after it has been formed. The binding device comprises a suitable support 5 having i inner end which is adapted to cooperate withstandards 6 in which is mounted a vertical lever 7 so disposed Vthat it engages the side of the bundle thus formed and carries at its free end alink 8 which supports an arm- 9 having notches 10 to receive the trunnions of a reel 11 adapted to contain a metal band 12 in the form of a ribbon which is used as a binder for the bundle but it is of course understood that I do not wish. to limit myself to the use of a metal band as I am aware that a wire could be used without departing .from the spirit of my invention.

The arm 9 is provided with a jaw 13 at its a jaw 15 formed on an extension 14 of the lever 7. The ribbon is adapted to pass between the jaws 13 and 15 so that it can be placed around the bundle and placed under tension by the jaws as will be later described.,

The lever 7 is provided with a weighted angled end 16 to which is ivotally connectedl a foot treadle 17 having an adjustable connection 18 with the arm 9 in the form of an adjustable link. The treadle is connected to the lever by a coil spring 19 which holds the/upper end of the lever against the side of the bundle and returns the treadle to its normal position after being depressed by the operator.

The ribbon band 12 which passes between the jaws 13 and 15 travels in the path of a shearing knife 20 to enable the band to be severed at any time by the operator, said knife being pivotall mounted and provided with a handle 21 or operating the same. The extension 14 of the lever 7 is in the form of a handle which can be gripped by the operator so as to return the lever 7 to its normal position and to enable the operator to force the same against the side of the bundle.

The extension 14 of the l'ever is provided with an overhanging portion 21 which when in the position shown in Figure 2 extends over the bundle for preventing the bundle from moving vertically and forms a guide so that if he iiooring strips are warped or l sprung in any way which would raise the upper support the upward movement thereof,

would be limited. The ribbon being drawn through the gripping jaws by the operator and passed around the bundle and by exerting a downward pressure on the treadle, the

lever away from the bundle so as to apply the proper tension to the metal band around lthe same and by releasing the treadle the lever 7 is returned so that the operator can press the treadle again so as to apply tension to the band and in practice the treadle-is pressed two or three times so that the band is drawn tightly around the bundle.

' Mounted in a suitable bearing formed in the lever y7 is a bolt or shaft 22 on which is mounted an eccentric hub 23having a lever 23 formed inte ral therewith, the inner face thereof being eveled and adapted to be drawn up along side of the bundle by the operator to force the strips against the lever 7 so as tocompress the bundle.

The lever 23 is provided with a handle 22 vwhich can be gripped by the operator for manipulating the same. When the lever 23 is in the position shown in Figure 3 the bundle is capable of movin freely on the support so as to position t e' same in the binding device.

The hub 23 is held against the lever by coil spring 232, the tension of which is adjusted by nuts 233. After the bundle has been positioned within the binding device, the operator raises the lever 23 which .brings the beveled or inclined face against the side o f the bundle and forces the bundle against the lever 7 so as to compress the same before the band is placed in position. The upward movement of the lever 23 brings the eccentric hub 23 against the bottom support of the bundle in order to provide a rigid support which enables the bundle to be held vfirmly while the band is being secured around the same.

Arranged in advance of the binding device is, a pivoted stop member 24 mounted on shaft 25 arranged in bearings 26 formed on the base 5 against which the end of the bundle is adapted to be forced, said movable stop being capable of moving into and out of the path of travel of the bundle. As thebundle is moved forwardly the ends of the strips and supports` forming the bundle engage this movable support so as to aline the ends and the lever 23 is then swung upwardly so as to compress the bundle and hold the same while the metal band is being placed in position thereon.

After a band has been placed around the bundle the bundle is moved forwardly, it of course being understood that the movable stop is moved Vout of the path of travel of the bundle until the end is placed on what I have termed a receiving table 27 which is provided with horizontally disposed rollers 28 and vertically disposed rollers 29. Arranged above the receiving table is a scale 30 which is graduated so as to indicate the surface feet within the bundle and the scale eillustrated will indicate the surface feet Within a bundle formedof strips of flooring 2 inches When stripe4 of ooring an inch and a half wide are ing bundled, a scale 31 is substituted-forl thel in order to prevent the strips from crushing under pressure and to allow the strips to flex when placed under pressure by the band.

The spacing strips are ofsubstantially the same height as the distance between the upper and lower supports and are placed in position before the upper support is placed over the iooring strips which prevents these strips from turning. i

The flooring str1 s are secured between the supports 32 an 33 by' bands of', metal 36 whlch is first placed around the bundle with its ends terminating midway of the upper support. The metal band is then drawn tight around the bundle thus formed by pressing down onthe treadle of the apparatus and the operator repeats this operationl one or more times so that the proper tension will be applied to the bands in order to hold the strips of iiooring securely without any danger of the strips moving when being shipped.

With his foot on the treadle and the band under tension the operator takes a dual punch and punches holes through the overlapping portions of the band and drives a staple 37 through these openings. The band is then severed by the shearing device 2O and the free end 36 is bent back upon itself over` the staple 37 and secured by staple 38 arranged at right angles to the staple 37 which forms novel means for'securing the end of the band in position around the bundle. l

The method of forming la bundle of iiooringl on an apparatus illustrated is as follows z-A support is laid upon the delivery table 1 on the rollers 2 and between the rollers 3' constituting the form and the strips of liooring are nested together on the bottom support. The spacing strips are then placed in position and the upper support laid on the upper edges of the. flooring strips.

The bundle thus formed is then moved forwardly over the stationary support until the end of the same engages the movable stop which has been swung in the path of travel of the bundle. The operator Vthen swings the lever 23 upwardly which brings the beveledface of the same into contact with the side of the bundle so as to place it under com ression and to force the strips together. TEe upward movement of the lever brings the eccentric hub into engagement with the `bottom support of the bundle. He then operates the bindingdevice, it of course being understood that the" bundle has been moved :in position so that the band will be' placed at the desired point. When the bundle is moved forwardly with the stop in the path of travel of the same, the ends of the` supports and flooring strips are brought into alignment so thatwhen the lever 23 ismoved upwardly the bundle will be placed under compression to enable the metal band to be placed around the same. l

The operator then takes hold of the freeend of theribbon or metal band and draws the same around the bundle thus formed, allowing the end of the band to terminate substantially midway of the upper support of the bundle. The spacing strips disposed between the supporting strips of the bundle are so disposed that they are never at the point or in transverse alignment with the ands placed around the bundle.

The operator then presses down on the treadle and the band is gripped by the gripping jaws on the initial movement thereof. the `final movement swinging the gripping jaws away from the bundle so as. to apply the proper tension to the band and by repeating this operation the required` number of times thevband is placed under the proper tension so as to securely bind the strips be- 'tween the supports.

The operator then talzes a dual punch and punches holes in the overlapping portions of the band and drives a staple into the open# ings in the upper support. He then severs the band by a shearing device and bends the free end back upon itself and secures the same by a staple which is arranged at right angles yto the staple already inserted, which latter/staple straddles the joint thus formed.

The movable stop is then swung out of the path of travel of the bundle and thc bundle moved the proper distance and another band is placed in position ina similar manner which operation is repeated until the proper number of bands has been placed around ,the bundle. As' the bundle moves forwardly, the end presses onto the roller 28 of the receiving table. The bundle is then sawed transversely in alignment with the shortest strip ofiiooring contained therein, the cut being made inalignment with the end of` the table or scale.

The operator'notices the scale which indicates to him the number of surface feet therein and he marks the bundle accordingf ly so that when the bundles are shipped, each bundlehas indicated thereon the number of surface feet it contains.

shipped without marring the surface in any 1. An -apparatus for bundling 'strips of ooring comprising means for holding floor-` ing strip supporting members, means for holding'strips of iooring on said flooring strip supporting members, means for placing said strips of flooring under compression and a band tensioning device for drawing'the ends of a band together around said strips. 2. An apparatus for securin a band of metal around a bundle of flooring comprising means for supporting the bundle and means for holding the same upon said support, a pivoted lever, an arml having a pivotal connection with said lever and carrying a reel, said lever being provided with a band gripping jaw, a band gripping jaw carried by said arm, a treadle, a connection between said treadle and arm for causmg the initial movement of said treadle to grip the band and then move away from said bundle.

3. An apparatus for bundling ooring comprising a support for supporting a bundle, means' for holding said bundle in position upon said support, a pivoted lever movable towards and away from said bundle supporting means, said lever having a band carrying reel, gripping jaws carried by said lever and a treadle for moving said lever away from said bundle supporting means, the initial movement of said treadle causing said band to be gripped by said gripping device for placing said band under tension when said lever is moved away from said bundle supporting evice.

4. An apparatus of the kind described, the combination with means for supporting a bundle and means for holdin thesame, a pivoted lever having a weig ited end, a treadle pivotally connected to the end of said lever, an arm pivotally carried by the upper end of said lever, and an adjustable connection between said arm and said treadle, said arm carrying a reel adapted to contain a ribbon of metal, said lever being provided with a fixed jaw, a cooperating jaw carried by said arm, said ribbon of metal being adapted to pass through said jaws, the initial movement of said treadle causing said jaws to grip said metal band and the linal movement to move said lever away from said bundle supporting device and placing said band under tension.

5. The method of forming a bundle of Hooring consisting in arranging a series of strips of flooring on edge between supports binding said strip support and strip supporting members together by a band encircling said strip supporting members.

7. The method of bundling flooring consisting in placing upon a support a strip supporting member, placing upon said strip supporting member a series of nested flooring strips, placing upon said nested iooring strips a top strip supporting member, moving the bundle thusformed against a stop to .aline the ends of the strip supporting members and strips of iooring, binding said Eunle by encircling the same with a metal 8. An apparatus for bundling flooring comprising means for supporting a bundle of liooring, a movable lstop arranged to be engaged by the end of the bundle and means for placing a metal band when arranged around said bundle under tension, said means comprising a movable lever carrying a band reel and gripping means, the lever being operated byva treadle for moving the same away from the bundle.

9. An apparatus for binding a bundle of flooring comprising means for supporting a bundle, means vfor holding said bundle, a pivoted lever having a xed jaw, an arm pivotally carried by said lever carrying a cooperating 'aw, a reel carried by said arm havlng a ri bon of metal wound thereon adapted to pass between said jaws, a treadle pivotally connected to said lever, an adjustable link connecting said arm to said treadle, the initial movement of said treadle causing said ribbon to be gripped by .said jaws and the final movement of said treadle causing the lever to be moved away from said bundle supporting means.

10. An apparatus for bundling flooring comprising a support for supportlng a bundle, an eccentric hub arranged under said support having a lever provided with an inclined face, said lever being arranged to apply pressure to the bottom -and side of said bundle and means for applyin tension to a band placed around said bun le.

11. An apparatus for -bundling flooring comprising a support for supportlng a bundle, an eccentric hub pivotally mounted in a plane below said support and adapted to move into vengagement with the bundle for supporting the same, said eccentric having a lever provided with a cam face for applying pressure to the bundle and a pivoted lever having gripping jaws for applyin tension to the band placed around sai bundle.

12. A method of bundling ooring consisting in arranging a series of strips of flooring on edge with their tongues and grooves interlocked between a pair of movably supported flooring supporting members, applying pressure to the bundle thus formed, then placing a band around said bundle and securing the ends of said band together under tension.

13. A method of bundling liooring con-l sisting in arranging a series of strips of fiooring on edge with their tongues and grooves interlocked between a pair of supporting members, arranging vertical strips between said flooring strips and applying pressure to the bundlei thus formed, then placing a band around 'said bundle and securing the ends of said band together under tension.

14. The method of bundling flooring consisting in arranging a series of strips of flooring on edge with their tongues and grooves interlocked between a pair of supporting members, then placing a band around said bundle and connecting the ends of said band together under tension.

15. A method of bundling flooring consisting in arranging a series of strips of flooring on edge with their tongues and grooves interlocked between a pair of supporting members, applying pressure to the bundle thus formed, then placing a band around said bundle and connecting the ends of said band together under tension.

16. A method of bundling flooring consisting in arranging a series of strips of flooring .on edge with their tongues and grooves interlocked between a pair of supporting members and then binding the members of said bundle together under tension.

17. As a new article of manufacture, a bundle of flooring comprising top and bottom supports, a series of strips of flooring on edge arranged between said supports having their tongues and grooves interlocked, iertical spacing strips disposed between said series of strips of flooring and bands encircling said supports out of alignment with said spacing strips for securing said supports and strips together underpressure.

18. A bundle of flooring comprising upper and lower strip su ports, a series of strips of flooring aligner on edge with their tongues and grooves interloeked disposed between said upper and lower strip su iports, spacing strips disposed between sai( series of strips of flooring and bands carried around said supports out of transverse alignment with the spacing strips, 'said bands having their ends secured to one of said strip supports.

19. As a new article of manufacture, a bundle of tongue and groove strips comprising top and bottom supports, a series of strips on edge arranged between said supports having their tongues and grooves interlocked, and bands encircling said supports for securing said supports and strips under pressure.

20. As a new article of manufacture, a bundle of tongue and grooved strips comprising top and bottom supports, a series of strips on edge arranged between said supports having their tongues and grooves interloeked, vertical spacing strips disposed between said series of strips and bands encircling said supports or securing said supports and strips under pressure. y

21. A bundle of flooring comprising top and bottom supports, a series of strips of flooring on edge arranged between said supports having their tongues and grooves interlocked, vertical spacing strips disposed between said series ot' strips of flooring and bands encircling said supports out of transverse alignment with said spacing strips, said bands having their ends secured together to one of said supports.

22. A bundle of flooring having upper and lower supports between which are arranged a series of flooring strips on edge with their tongues and grooves inter-locked, s acing strips disposed between said series o llooring strips, metal bands encircling said supports, said bands having their overlapping ends secured to one of said supports by a staple passing through said overlapping ends, the free end of said band being turned back upon said staple and secured to said support by a staple arranged at right angles to the first mentioned sta ile.

As a new article or manufacture, a bundle of strips of lumber having square edges comprising top and bottom supports, a series of strips having abutting edges arranged between said supports, vertieal spaeing strips disposed between said series of strips of a length approximately the distance between said supports, and flexible binding lnembers encircling said supports for securing said supports and strips under pressure.

24. An apparatus for bundling llooring comprising means` for supporting a bundle, a lnovable stop capable of moving in the path of travel of said bundle against which the ends of the flooring are adapted to abut for aligning the ends of the bundle and means for placing a band of metal under tension when placed around said bundle.

1n testimony whereof Ihereunto allix my signature.

ELMER C. DTTMAR. 

